Fourth of July is right around the corner. This week I am featuring fun red, white and blue or stars and stripes items from great Etsy designers....check out these great items and the shops too!!
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| Click picture to enlarge |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
24 days...
I have written and erased this post several times too afraid to finish. But thanks to some other bloggers I finally decided to just finish it more for myself and to get it out than anything..
Today June 24th is the 24th day that I have been working for myself full time now...
And on this 24th day, writing this and having other people read and know is a big step for me.
Why is is a big step? Whats the big deal? Well if you know me at all, I'm not a real risk taker, I tend to play within the lines and I have always strived for stability, especially with two small kids. I'm also pretty sensitive although I try not to show it. I haven't wanted people to know because I have felt like until I really have a big success I basically just walked away from stability and I'm not strong enough to take in negativity from others about my decision.
I spent over six years in a field I loved (social work) doing a job I did not love. The mission was noble and I was generally proud of what I did but at the end of the day it was a thankless job that was emotionally draining. After 6 years and two small children it was getting harder and harder to balance the needs of my family with the needs of families in crisis. I was getting burnt out and I wasn't being the wife and mother that I should have been for my own family. I applied for a new job in a totally different field with lots of perks and less stress on a whim and got it. I had these wonderful hopes that even though it wasn't a field I had ever thought of working in it would be so much better because it had set hours, no on-call, rare overtime and lots of perks. Plus it was in town (haven't had a job closer than 30 mins from where I lived since entering the adult workforce).
But things weren't as great as I hoped. I don't like to not be good at something, especially something that I have to do for 40 hours week. But I came to learn that if you have no interest in your job, its really hard to want to put in the time and effort to be good at it or to put up with the crap that comes with any job. I realized that I was working my butt off everyday only to feel mediocre (at best) at the end of the day. After a year I felt just the same way I felt after 6 years at my previous job. And as the breadwinner and all around "safe, stable" girl I felt trapped. In the midst of this I saw some random thing on Facebook one day, that basically asked you how you would feel if you were still at the same point in life 10 years from now. If you weren't happy with that then you needed to make a change.
I have always had the pipe dream of making a living from my design work but until this year I haven't really made an effort to make it a reality. Once I made it a priority and set goals (and spent every "free" moment working on my shops) my business kept growing. And it gave me the confidence to really think I could do this for a living.
So needless to say after a long period going back and forth about just sticking it out at my job, or making the leap, sleepless nights worrying, and a few unexpected surprises I made the decision to give it a go.
In the past 24 days I have had my moments of regret, tearful breakdowns feeling like a failure, mixed with bursts of excitement and can do spirit. These past 24 days have not been what I thought they would be both good and bad. I am plagued with worry about where I will be at the end of this journey. But I also know underneath the stress and worry, is a person who truly believes things happen for a reason and we aren't meant to live our lives being unhappy.
I remember I started my first Etsy shop because I wanted to do something that made me happy, an outlet from the stress of my day job. I wanted my daughter to see me happy and excited about life not stressed and on edge.
I don't know where this journey will take me and I don't know in the end if I will be successful or not but I know its something I needed to do, to hopefully get to a better place. I will keep you updated on my journey...the good, bad and the ugly!
And because I'm a sucker for inspirational things here is a FREE 8x10 inspirational print to start your week off right!
Today June 24th is the 24th day that I have been working for myself full time now...
And on this 24th day, writing this and having other people read and know is a big step for me.
Why is is a big step? Whats the big deal? Well if you know me at all, I'm not a real risk taker, I tend to play within the lines and I have always strived for stability, especially with two small kids. I'm also pretty sensitive although I try not to show it. I haven't wanted people to know because I have felt like until I really have a big success I basically just walked away from stability and I'm not strong enough to take in negativity from others about my decision.
I spent over six years in a field I loved (social work) doing a job I did not love. The mission was noble and I was generally proud of what I did but at the end of the day it was a thankless job that was emotionally draining. After 6 years and two small children it was getting harder and harder to balance the needs of my family with the needs of families in crisis. I was getting burnt out and I wasn't being the wife and mother that I should have been for my own family. I applied for a new job in a totally different field with lots of perks and less stress on a whim and got it. I had these wonderful hopes that even though it wasn't a field I had ever thought of working in it would be so much better because it had set hours, no on-call, rare overtime and lots of perks. Plus it was in town (haven't had a job closer than 30 mins from where I lived since entering the adult workforce).
But things weren't as great as I hoped. I don't like to not be good at something, especially something that I have to do for 40 hours week. But I came to learn that if you have no interest in your job, its really hard to want to put in the time and effort to be good at it or to put up with the crap that comes with any job. I realized that I was working my butt off everyday only to feel mediocre (at best) at the end of the day. After a year I felt just the same way I felt after 6 years at my previous job. And as the breadwinner and all around "safe, stable" girl I felt trapped. In the midst of this I saw some random thing on Facebook one day, that basically asked you how you would feel if you were still at the same point in life 10 years from now. If you weren't happy with that then you needed to make a change.
I have always had the pipe dream of making a living from my design work but until this year I haven't really made an effort to make it a reality. Once I made it a priority and set goals (and spent every "free" moment working on my shops) my business kept growing. And it gave me the confidence to really think I could do this for a living.
So needless to say after a long period going back and forth about just sticking it out at my job, or making the leap, sleepless nights worrying, and a few unexpected surprises I made the decision to give it a go.
In the past 24 days I have had my moments of regret, tearful breakdowns feeling like a failure, mixed with bursts of excitement and can do spirit. These past 24 days have not been what I thought they would be both good and bad. I am plagued with worry about where I will be at the end of this journey. But I also know underneath the stress and worry, is a person who truly believes things happen for a reason and we aren't meant to live our lives being unhappy.
I remember I started my first Etsy shop because I wanted to do something that made me happy, an outlet from the stress of my day job. I wanted my daughter to see me happy and excited about life not stressed and on edge.
I don't know where this journey will take me and I don't know in the end if I will be successful or not but I know its something I needed to do, to hopefully get to a better place. I will keep you updated on my journey...the good, bad and the ugly!
And because I'm a sucker for inspirational things here is a FREE 8x10 inspirational print to start your week off right!
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| available HERE |
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| available HERE |
HAPPY MONDAY!!
Monday, June 17, 2013
We Have A Winner!!
Thank you everyone who entered my giveaway for a full party collection! And that you to Random.org...
***As a THANK YOU for all those who entered you can use coupon code PARTY for 15% off your purchase from any of my shops (With Envy Parties, With Envy Paper & With Envy Babies). Coupon code expired 7/1/13.
HAPPY MONDAY!!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
{GIVEAWAY-CLOSED} WIN A FULL PRINTABLE PARTY COLLECTION BY WITH ENVY PARTIES!
WOW two posts in a row..I'll ignore that it came after 8 months of no posts :)
But I'm back with a LONG overdue giveaway...
The last couple of months have been very busy for With Envy Parties, which has been great. There are lots of changes happening that I will share later but it has been great seeing the shop grow. As a "thank you" I am offering up a FULL Party Collection to ONE lucky winner. DETAILS BELOW...
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| A sampling of some of my existing parties! |
WHATS UP FOR GRABS:
-ONE Existing or Custom Full Printable Party Collection-Existing party collections include what is included in the specific listing on With Envy Parties
-Custom party collections include the items listed here
-Winner decides if they want an existing collection or a custom design
-Please Note: For Custom collections I can not design any collection using trademarked/licensed images or characters (for example-Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Lala Oopsey etc.) Custom design process (includes getting all information, designing, sending proofs and revising proofs) can take at least a week if not more depending on how many revisions are needed. Please make sure you allow enough time between end of giveaway and your event.
HOW TO ENTER:
1)"LIKE" With Envy Studios on Facebook and leave a comment on this post indicating you did soEXTRA ENTRIES
1)Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, your blog etc. and come back and post link in comments. (additional entry per site you shared giveaway on)
GIVEAWAY ENDS SUNDAY JUNE 16th at 9pm PST....WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE ON MONDAY JUNE 17, 2013.
REMEMBER I WILL BE POSTING LINKS TO SOME FREEBIES ON FACEBOOK THIS WEEK AS AN ADDED THANK YOU TO MY FANS AND CUSTOMERS!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
HOLY COW!...its been a ridiculously long time since I blogged...not really sure anyone is around still.
Just stopping, no promises of better blogging habits right now. I did want to share a little free I whipped up for Fathers day...right around the corner!!
Show the dad in your life that you think he is pretty RAD!!
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| Download file here |
ENJOY!!!
Monday, October 22, 2012
SILLY SOCK PARTY aka photo bomb!!!
Its that time of year again...birthday time! And this year I have two little munchkin's birthdays. My kids birthdays are 1 month and 2 days apart. So since my parents come out to see us in October, I decided on a joint birthday party in between their actual birth dates.
This year was also the first year I invited kids from my daughter's class. I usually just invite family and then a few of my friends have kids around her age. In total we had 12 kids in the house!!! I was super nervous but it turned out to be a wonderful time!!!
It all started with the theme and invite....I figure its probably the last year I'll be able to do a none character theme birthday for my daughter. We are big on fun socks and holiday socks so I thought a silly sock party would be perfect!
And of course the birthday girl and boy! (I couldn't get a good one of my little guy with his socks and ribbon, he was overwhelmed and tired and didn't want to cooperate with a photo...this one is him after cake)
The Dollar Tree was my best friend when it came to decorating! I was able to get a ton of cute fun socks for cheap! I used them in the decor and for party favors. And the best part is now my daughter has a crap ton of socks to wear!
I created this for the food table back drop! I LOVE how it turned out
and it was super easy...just white socks tacked to two pieces of foam
board...just what I envisioned!
We did simple foods this year as well. We didn't even bake anything. So much less stress and everything was yummy!
These awesome fondant cupcake toppers were designed by Beth with Your Cupcake Story. I LOVE LOVE how they turned out, I just wish I was able to get better shots of them and the ones that were on the kids individual cakes. I bought the tye-dyed cakes at Walmart. They fit the color scheme and they were a good size for individual cakes.
Oh and of course the SILLY SOCKS!!! All the kids came in some super cute socks, I was so excited. Only wish I got a better pic but its hard trying to direct several 3-4 year olds would rather play and eat than pose for a pic :)
My daughter picked out all the socks for the fam...we did an argyle theme to tie into the argyle from the invite. It took a few pics to get us all in!
My amazing mother made these cute little sock monkeys for party favors along with a pair of fun socks. I actually think the traditional sock monkey is creepy looking but I loved how these little guys turned out!
Sign of a successful party...the littlest one ran out of stem even before the party was over but he did manage to open his presents, stuff his face with cake and play a little. My daughter announced after opening presents that it was time for everyone to leave (she really wanted to play with all her toys). After the party was over and we were just cleaning, we found her playing quietly with her new mini Barbies...so sweet!!
I have to say it was the best birthday party we've had. I always have these grand ideas and I would love to be able to create a party that is featured on the popular party blogs and have fab professional photos but that never seems to happen. But instead I get so wrapped up in having fun with the munchkins that I generally forget to capture it all :)
I hope you have enjoyed my photo bomb:)
Vendors:
Invite and Printables: With Envy Parties
Fondant Cupcake Toppers: Your Cupcake Story
Cake/Cupcakes: Walmart
Party Food: Costco
Sock Monkey Tutorial: Craft Passion
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Drum Roll Please...
Better late than never right?!?!
The THREE winners are....
1)Angie Alford
2)Lauren Guilbeau
3)Monica Wile
2)Lauren Guilbeau
3)Monica Wile
I had intended to designate a specifc prize for a specific person but when I did the rules there was a word missing so it I didn't have you list what you wanted to win.
Sooo instead, you three just email me (withenvystudios@gmail.com) which ONE prize from the options, you would like*:
PRIZES:
1)ONE Little Monsters Printable Party Collection,
2)ONE 2013 Illustrations Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
3)ONE 2013 Patterns Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
1)ONE Little Monsters Printable Party Collection,
2)ONE 2013 Illustrations Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
3)ONE 2013 Patterns Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
*please note winners have 3 days to respond with their prize choice.
Thank you everyone who entered!!!
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